Fire that forced evacuation at SNF started by resident, authorities say

A fire at a Connecticut rehabilitation facility that sent five residents to the hospital on Saturday was set by another resident who wanted to leave the place, according to police.

The fire at Touchpoints Healthcare Facility in Bloomfield, CT, Saturday morning was likely started by a resident who “no longer wanted to stay in the facility,” police told the Hartford Courant. Twenty-seven residents were evacuated from the wing where the fire occurred.

The man who started the fire left Touchpoints on foot and was found by authorities in a marshy area nearby. He admitted to setting the fire and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, the Courant reported. Five other residents were taken to local hospitals for continued care and evaluation.

The remaining Touchpoints residents were moved to another wing of the building, away from the one room where the fire was concentrated. Authorities investigating the exact cause of the fire.